Municipal Festivals

Feast of Saint James the Apostle Parish (established 1960). Masses, processions, and community banquets.

Founding anniversary (1948). "Buganihan" combines "buga" (sharing) and "bayanihan" (unity). Tribute to Mandaya bagani warriors, agricultural exhibitions, Binibining Compostela pageant.

Mandaya festival of the Kaimunan Lumad sang Compostela. Traditional dances representing Mandaya life.

Founding anniversary (1957). The name derives from "nabungturan" (surrounded by hills in Visayan). Special non-working holiday.

Symbolizes unity and solidarity. Thanksgiving celebration with communal feasts (boodle fights).

Patron saint of Monkayo. Solemn masses, processions, and community activities.

Founding anniversary (1954). "Kariyawan" narrates the legend of a diwata (fairy) who protected the town and delivered the first gold. Street dances, miner competitions, Binibining Monkayo pageant.

In 2020, the 50th patron saint feast was celebrated.

"Pagsandugan" celebrates unity and thanksgiving of the first Mansaka settlers. Special non-working holiday.

Honors farmers with exhibitions, thanksgiving rituals, and fairs.

The town was originally called "San Jose" in honor of this patron saint of workers.

Founding anniversary (1966). Parades, fairs, and cultural presentations.

"Diwa nga Masanag" (resplendent). Spectacular light decorations, illuminated tunnels, lighting competitions between barangays.

Founding anniversary (1953). Originally "Doña Alicia", renamed in honor of Apolinario Mabini in 1954.

Festival of Barangay Golden Valley, where 85-90% of the 5,000 residents are from the Mansaka tribe.

Celebrates Mansaka and Mandaya fishing traditions of the coastal municipality on Davao Gulf.

Municipal independence anniversary (1967). "Kaimonan" means thanksgiving in Mansaka. Tribal elder rituals, dances, traditional music, woven garments.

Celebration at the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Solemn masses and processions.

Parish established in 1968 under the Diocese of Tagum.

Exhibition of agricultural products and ecotourism taking advantage of the cool climate due to its high altitude.

Traditional town fiesta.

Founding anniversary (1977). Mansaka thanksgiving festival for the harvests. "Indak-Hudyaka sa P'yagsawitan" competition.

Town fiesta according to the provincial government.

Patron saint of the municipality.

Official founding date (1968). The name honors First Lady Luz Banzon Magsaysay.

"Sal'lu" (sharing) + "pongan" (solidarity) in Mansaka. Celebration of unity in diversity among ethnic groups. Mansaka and Mandaya dances, crafts, indigenous music.

Founding anniversary (1979). The name "Laak" comes from thornless bamboo in Ata-Manobo language.

"Kahimunan" means "to gather" in Manobo. Festival of reunion of four tribes: Dibabawon, Mandaya, Mansaka, and Muslim community. Celebrates fruit harvests with dances and indigenous instruments.

Holy Family Parish (1979). Celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas.

Honors farmers and agricultural heritage (rice, corn, coconut, cacao, rubber).

Patron saint of Parokya Ni San Jose. Solemn mass, processions, and traditional festivities.

Founding anniversary (1936, oldest municipality). "Pasaka" derives from two Datus of the Mansaka and Muslim tribes. Tribute to harvests and cultural heritage. Special non-working holiday.